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Dainty re-elected as USACA president

In a result which won't exactly boost the the profile of US cricket internationally, Gladstone Dainty has been re-elected as president of the USA Cricket Association by three votes.

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In a result which won't exactly boost the the profile of US cricket internationally, Gladstone Dainty has been re-elected as president of the USA Cricket Association by three votes.

Dainty, who has overseen the almost catastrophic implosion of the USACA in recent years and under whose tenure the association was suspended from international cricket by the ICC, polled 18 of the 34 votes cast. Ram Varadarajan, who was widely expected to beat Dainty after running a slick campaign, polled 15 votes while Kamran Khan got 1.

It was not all good news for Dainty. Selwyn Ceasar, the much-criticised treasurer, was defeated by Varadarajan's running mate John Thickett by 18 votes to 16 while John Aaron beat Paul De Silva.

Nabeel Ahmed won the vote to be first vice-president by a large margin while Manaf Mohamed saw off Suresh Anne and Jefroy Morrishaw in the vote for the second vice-president.

The news will almost inevitably lead to claims that the ballot was not conducted fairly, but once the dust settles, the fact that Dainty has lost two of his closest allies will mean that his new board will have to be far more accountable that it has been in recent years when it has operated in almost complete secrecy. The presence of Aaron and Thickett could be enough to paper over the cracks which have ripped the USACA asunder.

It remains to be seen whether the investors and others boards who have been waiting on the sidelines, many of who have expressed reservations about dealing with Dainty, will now came forward.

Martin Williamson is executive editor of ESPNcricinfo and managing editor of ESPN Digital Media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Island, you are very thoughtful and your comments do make sense. However, one cannot save a ship from drowning if its captain is not responsible enough to guide it well and safely to the shore. All I'm trying to say that Dainty has been in the USACA for very long time and all we have had is failure and banning from ICC. Let's take a real example right out of cricket. If the captain of some nation is not capable enough to lead its team to victory for a very long time; will that national keep that particular captain to lead the team even though there are many other qualified players who can make a great captain who can win games for that nation? I believe that the answer would be NO. After reading your comments, I respect you and I respect the fact that you also would like to see the USA in the world competitions. I’m very sad with the fact that, yet again, our leader is someone who is clearly not capable and widely hated in the cricket community of the USA.

island
on April 3, 2008, 17:43 GMT

The voters have made their choices.
Isn't it ironical that we all ask for democracy and then decry the results? Some of us compete in elections, then if the result is unfavorable we sit on the sidelines, hope & pray for bad things, offer slights, take our ball, run home to find new 'friends' and refused to get involved. Are those the leaders we want? Many offer disparaging remarks without taking the time or effort to seek knowledge. The USA constitution states that the league presidents vote for the President of the USACA. I believe 35 teams were eligible, 34 voted. Quite remarkable if you ask me.
Now the work is at hand. I believe there is room for all who stood for elections to get involved in an area where they can add value to cricket in the USA. I suggest that all those individuals call Mr. Dainty and the execs, offer congrats and volunteer for duty in some specialty. Aren't we too intelligent and talented to let one person ruin it? There is work for all. League presidents, stay together, work together, divide and conquer still works on the unsuspected.
The USA is still fertile ground, much have been hoed, more has to be tiled and all should participate in the rewards.
Island

Cuen Lucas
on April 1, 2008, 9:34 GMT

There has to be something seriously wrong within the USACA voting system if someone like Dainty can be repeatedly elected. I don't know if all this new found "accountability" will help much, I suspect it'll just create MORE infighting and politics, something U.S. cricket can ill afford at this point.

So long as Dainty remains, it seems likely that U.S. cricket will not only fail to grow and entrench itself within mainstream America, it could actually regress, even amongst it's current circles.

I feel for those who are TRULY passionate about cricket in America, it must be hard having to watch these events unfold.

David Wijekoon-Perera
on April 1, 2008, 7:15 GMT

As with Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and the geek who is Zimbabwe Cricket president, Peter Chingoka, this character Dainty is another of those nefarious surviours of a notorious system that had destroyed the credibility of the game and ruined it's growth.
Little wonder the youth of today are going to turn their back yet again on the system.
Cheats never prosper, but Dainty seems to continually cock a snoot at such a tradition and will now eagerly await ICC approval so that he can get his hands on all that loot unless the bannin order stays.
United States was accorded associate membership of the newly constituded ICC in 1965. Since then it has, as a body, gone backward and the only interest since this man took over is ruination of successive plans to relaunch the game.
Just as Zimbabwe inflation levels soar to crippling levels, so will USA Cricket Continue to suffer under the dishonest and wanton rule of this dishonorable man.
God help cricket in USA, you can be sure Dainty wont

Roger Burrows, Canada
on April 1, 2008, 4:31 GMT

American elections are notorious for causing controversy. This is one Hillary Clinton could have won! I very much doubt that this minor overhaul will change the way business is conducted and don't expect to see cricket featured on ESPN in the near (or distant) future.

Imran Khan
on March 31, 2008, 21:42 GMT

I think the selection of Dainty is a fair reflection of where US cricket is right now! The selection of Dainty has moved US cricket right back to the period before ICC kicked the US out. Its one thing to say that you are giving some one an opportunity to prove themselves and show their ability. This chap has been at the helm of all the disasters US cricket has faced in the last decade. Are we now openly saying that incompetence, corruption and failure pay! Speaking on reflection of the NW(Northern California, Seattle and Washington) Region I will say that the committees and people have actively recognised the need for change and progression. New faces have taken the helm and the old guard to much surprise and delight have cooperated and supported the changes. Everyone involved recognises that personality driven organisations only last and act as the figure head wants or does! NWR is initiating a new system of selection and process that the USACA can greatly learn from.

Gangster Rap
on March 31, 2008, 20:52 GMT

Congratulations Dainty!
I'm moving to Iran to play cricket...

Adam Scholem
on March 31, 2008, 18:26 GMT

In all of the United States, there were only _34_ eligible voters on the new presidency? I'll admit that I didn't study the new constitution thoroughly, but even if the voting body was made of the presidents of the leagues that seems a terribly small number. I find it hard to believe, especially after so much time, effort, and acrimony went into the new constitution, that there would be eligible voters who did not participate...
What's going on here?

IPCRESS
on March 30, 2008, 13:42 GMT

Maybe not a complete disaster for US cricket, but close. Only 34 total votes cast? Good grief, who voted? Anybody? SCCA and the NTCA have almost 70 clubs between the two organizations. The US has over 10,000 players. I guess I will shut up for now because such a low vote total shows that a majority of the current clubs and players around the US only care about their local organizations, next weekends fixtures and where they clubs are in the standings. A case of you get what you vote for, so if you did not vote then don't complain about the result.

Gangster Rap
on April 4, 2008, 19:22 GMT

Island, you are very thoughtful and your comments do make sense. However, one cannot save a ship from drowning if its captain is not responsible enough to guide it well and safely to the shore. All I'm trying to say that Dainty has been in the USACA for very long time and all we have had is failure and banning from ICC. Let's take a real example right out of cricket. If the captain of some nation is not capable enough to lead its team to victory for a very long time; will that national keep that particular captain to lead the team even though there are many other qualified players who can make a great captain who can win games for that nation? I believe that the answer would be NO. After reading your comments, I respect you and I respect the fact that you also would like to see the USA in the world competitions. I’m very sad with the fact that, yet again, our leader is someone who is clearly not capable and widely hated in the cricket community of the USA.

island
on April 3, 2008, 17:43 GMT

The voters have made their choices.
Isn't it ironical that we all ask for democracy and then decry the results? Some of us compete in elections, then if the result is unfavorable we sit on the sidelines, hope & pray for bad things, offer slights, take our ball, run home to find new 'friends' and refused to get involved. Are those the leaders we want? Many offer disparaging remarks without taking the time or effort to seek knowledge. The USA constitution states that the league presidents vote for the President of the USACA. I believe 35 teams were eligible, 34 voted. Quite remarkable if you ask me.
Now the work is at hand. I believe there is room for all who stood for elections to get involved in an area where they can add value to cricket in the USA. I suggest that all those individuals call Mr. Dainty and the execs, offer congrats and volunteer for duty in some specialty. Aren't we too intelligent and talented to let one person ruin it? There is work for all. League presidents, stay together, work together, divide and conquer still works on the unsuspected.
The USA is still fertile ground, much have been hoed, more has to be tiled and all should participate in the rewards.
Island

Cuen Lucas
on April 1, 2008, 9:34 GMT

There has to be something seriously wrong within the USACA voting system if someone like Dainty can be repeatedly elected. I don't know if all this new found "accountability" will help much, I suspect it'll just create MORE infighting and politics, something U.S. cricket can ill afford at this point.

So long as Dainty remains, it seems likely that U.S. cricket will not only fail to grow and entrench itself within mainstream America, it could actually regress, even amongst it's current circles.

I feel for those who are TRULY passionate about cricket in America, it must be hard having to watch these events unfold.

David Wijekoon-Perera
on April 1, 2008, 7:15 GMT

As with Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and the geek who is Zimbabwe Cricket president, Peter Chingoka, this character Dainty is another of those nefarious surviours of a notorious system that had destroyed the credibility of the game and ruined it's growth.
Little wonder the youth of today are going to turn their back yet again on the system.
Cheats never prosper, but Dainty seems to continually cock a snoot at such a tradition and will now eagerly await ICC approval so that he can get his hands on all that loot unless the bannin order stays.
United States was accorded associate membership of the newly constituded ICC in 1965. Since then it has, as a body, gone backward and the only interest since this man took over is ruination of successive plans to relaunch the game.
Just as Zimbabwe inflation levels soar to crippling levels, so will USA Cricket Continue to suffer under the dishonest and wanton rule of this dishonorable man.
God help cricket in USA, you can be sure Dainty wont

Roger Burrows, Canada
on April 1, 2008, 4:31 GMT

American elections are notorious for causing controversy. This is one Hillary Clinton could have won! I very much doubt that this minor overhaul will change the way business is conducted and don't expect to see cricket featured on ESPN in the near (or distant) future.

Imran Khan
on March 31, 2008, 21:42 GMT

I think the selection of Dainty is a fair reflection of where US cricket is right now! The selection of Dainty has moved US cricket right back to the period before ICC kicked the US out. Its one thing to say that you are giving some one an opportunity to prove themselves and show their ability. This chap has been at the helm of all the disasters US cricket has faced in the last decade. Are we now openly saying that incompetence, corruption and failure pay! Speaking on reflection of the NW(Northern California, Seattle and Washington) Region I will say that the committees and people have actively recognised the need for change and progression. New faces have taken the helm and the old guard to much surprise and delight have cooperated and supported the changes. Everyone involved recognises that personality driven organisations only last and act as the figure head wants or does! NWR is initiating a new system of selection and process that the USACA can greatly learn from.

Gangster Rap
on March 31, 2008, 20:52 GMT

Congratulations Dainty!
I'm moving to Iran to play cricket...

Adam Scholem
on March 31, 2008, 18:26 GMT

In all of the United States, there were only _34_ eligible voters on the new presidency? I'll admit that I didn't study the new constitution thoroughly, but even if the voting body was made of the presidents of the leagues that seems a terribly small number. I find it hard to believe, especially after so much time, effort, and acrimony went into the new constitution, that there would be eligible voters who did not participate...
What's going on here?

IPCRESS
on March 30, 2008, 13:42 GMT

Maybe not a complete disaster for US cricket, but close. Only 34 total votes cast? Good grief, who voted? Anybody? SCCA and the NTCA have almost 70 clubs between the two organizations. The US has over 10,000 players. I guess I will shut up for now because such a low vote total shows that a majority of the current clubs and players around the US only care about their local organizations, next weekends fixtures and where they clubs are in the standings. A case of you get what you vote for, so if you did not vote then don't complain about the result.

No featured comments at the moment.

IPCRESS
on March 30, 2008, 13:42 GMT

Maybe not a complete disaster for US cricket, but close. Only 34 total votes cast? Good grief, who voted? Anybody? SCCA and the NTCA have almost 70 clubs between the two organizations. The US has over 10,000 players. I guess I will shut up for now because such a low vote total shows that a majority of the current clubs and players around the US only care about their local organizations, next weekends fixtures and where they clubs are in the standings. A case of you get what you vote for, so if you did not vote then don't complain about the result.

Adam Scholem
on March 31, 2008, 18:26 GMT

In all of the United States, there were only _34_ eligible voters on the new presidency? I'll admit that I didn't study the new constitution thoroughly, but even if the voting body was made of the presidents of the leagues that seems a terribly small number. I find it hard to believe, especially after so much time, effort, and acrimony went into the new constitution, that there would be eligible voters who did not participate...
What's going on here?

Gangster Rap
on March 31, 2008, 20:52 GMT

Congratulations Dainty!
I'm moving to Iran to play cricket...

Imran Khan
on March 31, 2008, 21:42 GMT

I think the selection of Dainty is a fair reflection of where US cricket is right now! The selection of Dainty has moved US cricket right back to the period before ICC kicked the US out. Its one thing to say that you are giving some one an opportunity to prove themselves and show their ability. This chap has been at the helm of all the disasters US cricket has faced in the last decade. Are we now openly saying that incompetence, corruption and failure pay! Speaking on reflection of the NW(Northern California, Seattle and Washington) Region I will say that the committees and people have actively recognised the need for change and progression. New faces have taken the helm and the old guard to much surprise and delight have cooperated and supported the changes. Everyone involved recognises that personality driven organisations only last and act as the figure head wants or does! NWR is initiating a new system of selection and process that the USACA can greatly learn from.

Roger Burrows, Canada
on April 1, 2008, 4:31 GMT

American elections are notorious for causing controversy. This is one Hillary Clinton could have won! I very much doubt that this minor overhaul will change the way business is conducted and don't expect to see cricket featured on ESPN in the near (or distant) future.

David Wijekoon-Perera
on April 1, 2008, 7:15 GMT

As with Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and the geek who is Zimbabwe Cricket president, Peter Chingoka, this character Dainty is another of those nefarious surviours of a notorious system that had destroyed the credibility of the game and ruined it's growth.
Little wonder the youth of today are going to turn their back yet again on the system.
Cheats never prosper, but Dainty seems to continually cock a snoot at such a tradition and will now eagerly await ICC approval so that he can get his hands on all that loot unless the bannin order stays.
United States was accorded associate membership of the newly constituded ICC in 1965. Since then it has, as a body, gone backward and the only interest since this man took over is ruination of successive plans to relaunch the game.
Just as Zimbabwe inflation levels soar to crippling levels, so will USA Cricket Continue to suffer under the dishonest and wanton rule of this dishonorable man.
God help cricket in USA, you can be sure Dainty wont

Cuen Lucas
on April 1, 2008, 9:34 GMT

There has to be something seriously wrong within the USACA voting system if someone like Dainty can be repeatedly elected. I don't know if all this new found "accountability" will help much, I suspect it'll just create MORE infighting and politics, something U.S. cricket can ill afford at this point.

So long as Dainty remains, it seems likely that U.S. cricket will not only fail to grow and entrench itself within mainstream America, it could actually regress, even amongst it's current circles.

I feel for those who are TRULY passionate about cricket in America, it must be hard having to watch these events unfold.

island
on April 3, 2008, 17:43 GMT

The voters have made their choices.
Isn't it ironical that we all ask for democracy and then decry the results? Some of us compete in elections, then if the result is unfavorable we sit on the sidelines, hope & pray for bad things, offer slights, take our ball, run home to find new 'friends' and refused to get involved. Are those the leaders we want? Many offer disparaging remarks without taking the time or effort to seek knowledge. The USA constitution states that the league presidents vote for the President of the USACA. I believe 35 teams were eligible, 34 voted. Quite remarkable if you ask me.
Now the work is at hand. I believe there is room for all who stood for elections to get involved in an area where they can add value to cricket in the USA. I suggest that all those individuals call Mr. Dainty and the execs, offer congrats and volunteer for duty in some specialty. Aren't we too intelligent and talented to let one person ruin it? There is work for all. League presidents, stay together, work together, divide and conquer still works on the unsuspected.
The USA is still fertile ground, much have been hoed, more has to be tiled and all should participate in the rewards.
Island

Gangster Rap
on April 4, 2008, 19:22 GMT

Island, you are very thoughtful and your comments do make sense. However, one cannot save a ship from drowning if its captain is not responsible enough to guide it well and safely to the shore. All I'm trying to say that Dainty has been in the USACA for very long time and all we have had is failure and banning from ICC. Let's take a real example right out of cricket. If the captain of some nation is not capable enough to lead its team to victory for a very long time; will that national keep that particular captain to lead the team even though there are many other qualified players who can make a great captain who can win games for that nation? I believe that the answer would be NO. After reading your comments, I respect you and I respect the fact that you also would like to see the USA in the world competitions. I’m very sad with the fact that, yet again, our leader is someone who is clearly not capable and widely hated in the cricket community of the USA.